Orbea Gain

[Solom01]

Storck, I don't think you can be doing it wrong, but in the US the Gains have motor assist up to 20 or so mph and not 15.5, so maybe that makes a difference? I'm also purposely keeping the gearing at a point where I have to use some serious power to pedal - and trying to keep my speed up pretty high. I am purposely trying to get as much exercise as I can and using the battery as little as possible. I can't really do that with my other ebike since it's a single speed. I have no doubt that I'll end up going into cardiac arrest if I keep this up - but at least I'll look better in the coffin, right?

 

[CXRAndy]

More breath to give you an earful then?

Joking, Im having to draft to keep up, she is in command

always!

 

[Storck]

Storck, I don't think you can be doing it wrong, but in the US the Gains have motor assist up to 20 or so mph and not 15.5, so maybe that makes a difference? I'm also purposely keeping the gearing at a point where I have to use some serious power to pedal - and trying to keep my speed up pretty high. I am purposely trying to get as much exercise as I can and using the battery as little as possible. I can't really do that with my other ebike since it's a single speed. I have no doubt that I'll end up going into cardiac arrest if I keep this up - but at least I'll look better in the coffin, right?

Good point Sol, I do use my Gain for relaxation, almost in cruise control during this wonderful summer we are experiencing. Best way though Sol to loose weight? Is ride at level 1- 2 (fat burning mode) up to 65% of your max HR. You should be able to ride and hold a conversation at the same time. It does work. Always started training for next season, by riding like this from October through to Feb. Kept off those Xmas pounds.

 

[Widge]

Hi all,
I might be coming at this from a different angle.......
but.....
I bought my new Gain specifically to help me get back on the road after illness-so have no qualms about using the full range of assistance as I feel the need at the moment. This is why I bought it-but also with an eye toward gradually regaining and/or enhancing my fitness levels over time. I wanted a bike that still responded to effort, and not just a 'sit and go' electric bike. In the 10 days or so I've had it, it is so far fulfilling this brief admirably!
I would like to imagine that, given time, I might actually rely on the 'assist' aspect less and less-in fact I would be pleased to return to my 'old-skool' purely mechanical road bike for the odd ride.

So far I have relished the ability to ride everywhere I could with my old bike before my health plummeted. Living in Hilly South Devon I am using mostly the mid setting ('orange) and the ultra setting (red) to crest some of the 1 in 4 hills. On the flat (and clearly downhill) I am mostly exceeding the 15mph cut off so hope I am using the bike as it was intended? I am not venturing for more than 30miles or so per run at the moment so the ins and outs of the 'battery extender' are not yet an issue for me...but I too am interested in any other peoples experience with it.

I have to say...apart from one or two caveats...I am very pleased with it so far. (And my trusty 'customised' (!) Triban 3 isn't far away!!)

It's got me up and at it again¬

Best
Widge

 

[youngoldbloke]

Hi all,
I might be coming at this from a different angle.......
but.....
I bought my new Gain initially to help me get back on the road after illness-so have no qualms about using the full range of assistance as I feel the need at the moment. This is why I bought it-but also with an eye toward gradually regaining and/or enhancing my fitness levels over time. I wanted a bike that still responded to effort, and not just a 'sit and go' electric bike. In the 10 days or so I've had it, it is so far fulfilling this brief admirably!
I would like to imagine that, given time, I might actually rely on the 'assist' aspect less and less-in fact I would be pleased to return to my 'old-skool' purely mechanical road bike for the odd ride.

So far I have relished the ability to ride everywhere I could with my old bike before my health plummeted. Living in Hilly South Devon I am using mostly the mid setting ('orange) and the ultra setting (red) to crest some of the 1 in 4 hills. On the flat (and clearly downhill) I am mostly exceeding the 15mph cut off so hope I am using the bike as it was intended? I am not venturing for more than 30miles or so per run at the moment so the ins and outs of the 'battery extender' are not yet an issue for me...but I too am interested in any other peoples experience with it.

I have to say...apart from one or two caveats...I am very pleased with it so far. (And my trusty 'customised' (!) Triban 3 isn't far away!!)

It's got me up and at it again¬

Best
Widge

I'm in a similar position to you Widge. I bought the Gain for health reasons. IMO you are certainly using the bike as intended. I find that the assistance levels give me the 'just enough' assistance to replace my lost muscle strength, but still allow me to get a good workout. Longest ride so far for me in the region of 40 miles, and plenty of battery left. I also hope that one day I'll be able to return to my leg-power only bikes, though I realise that may be quite unrealistic.

 

[NickWi]

Same story with me and I'd go so far as to say riding my Gain has not only improved my overall fitness but made riding any of my other (traditionally powered) bikes easier than it was say 18months ago. I think the single biggest reason for this is that I now go out and enjoy the riding whereas before it was always a bit of a slog, and because I enjoy it more, I do more of it.

Smiles = Miles = Fitter Me = I Enjoy it more = Smiles etc etc.

I know some of the naysayers will say, well if you got of your arse and rode you're old bike more you'd have got to that point, and I dare say that probably is true, but I'm no youngster, throw in with work, looking after aged parents and the rest of life troubles and my leisure time is limited. My Gain has allowed me to make the most of it what free time I do have, and because it's a pleasure now, I ride more more which helps with stress and the old blood pressure. If that's not a win win situation I don't know what is.

 

[Scaleyback]

Someone on the cyclingUK forum has taken delivery of the ‘range extender’ battery. Wow ! Pigs do indeed fly.

 

[Solom01]

I think you all are using the Gain exactly as it was meant to be used. My circumstances are a little bit different in that I've had health problems for a while and had been using another ebike which although not a beast by any stretch of the imagination has a slightly bigger battery and being a single speed I could never get the right cadence for use on our absolutely flat terrain - so I found myself getting less and less exercise from cycling. With the Gain I'm trying to beat myself up a bit and trying to use the battery as a back-up in case I push myself too hard. The one thing I would change is a bit strange, I wish the power cut-off was at 15.5 and not 20-21. If you have the assistance on you actually have to go pretty darn fast before the power cuts off. I wonder if there is some way too change the power assistance cut off to the Euro level? Maybe a dealer can do it with the dealer app?

 

[Storck]

I think you all are using the Gain exactly as it was meant to be used. My circumstances are a little bit different in that I've had health problems for a while and had been using another ebike which although not a beast by any stretch of the imagination has a slightly bigger battery and being a single speed I could never get the right cadence for use on our absolutely flat terrain - so I found myself getting less and less exercise from cycling. With the Gain I'm trying to beat myself up a bit and trying to use the battery as a back-up in case I push myself too hard. The one thing I would change is a bit strange, I wish the power cut-off was at 15.5 and not 20-21. If you have the assistance on you actually have to go pretty darn fast before the power cuts off. I wonder if there is some way too change the power assistance cut off to the Euro level? Maybe a dealer can do it with the dealer app?

I think you would find plenty of folk this side of the pond, willing to swap with you Sol.

 

[Widge]

Yup.......15.5 mph still gives you a pukka workout......the bike is well specced to function like a 'real' road-bike once you've got it rolling......but there is no denying the 'need-for-speed' ,

personally I have no issue with the 15mph euro cut-off, cruising effortlessly at 20 is surely just ungentlemanly?

Yours deludely

W

 

[robgul]

Yup.......15.5 mph still gives you a pukka workout......the bike is well specced to function like a 'real' road-bike once you've got it rolling......but there is no denying the 'need-for-speed' ,

personally I have no issue with the 15mph euro cut-off, cruising effortlessly at 20 is surely just ungentlemanly?

Yours deludely

W

Exactly - mine was bought for age/fitness/keep up on the club run purposes and has turned out to be perfect . ... I probably ride about 70/75% without the motor and switch on for steep hills or if I'm tired on th way home. Several other club members are in negotiations to buy an e road/touring bike.

Rob

 

[youngoldbloke]

We are all different - I would very much welcome a higher cut off - 18 mph maybe. (As I've said before) on rolling terrain it is quite usual for even leisure groups to exceed 15.5mph, (not average speed) and my legs soon tire trying to keep (what is for me) a very heavy road bike above the cut off, over longer stretches. I'm not asking for a free ride. I don't want a moped. I don't want an ugly, even heavier e-mtb, just a little more assistance.

 

[Storck]

We are all different - I would very much welcome a higher cut off - 18 mph maybe. (As I've said before) on rolling terrain it is quite usual for even leisure groups to exceed 15.5mph, (not average speed) and my legs soon tire trying to keep (what is for me) a very heavy road bike above the cut off, over longer stretches. I'm not asking for a free ride. I don't want a moped. I don't want an ugly, even heavier e-mtb, just a little more assistance.

Especially plugging away into a wind-on-the-nose day.

 

[Solom01]

What would be really cool would be if the app could be changed so that the user could determine the cut-off speed so in the US and Canada one could pick anywhere from 0-20mph for each level and in the UK and EU 0-15.5 (it would be great if they would allow up to 20 there but I'm assuming it would create all sorts of legal issues). Considering that the basics of the app still aren't working too well I doubt this will ever happen, but I guess I can dream.

 

[Storck]

What would be really cool would be if the app could be changed so that the user could determine the cut-off speed so in the US and Canada one could pick anywhere from 0-20mph for each level and in the UK and EU 0-15.5 (it would be great if they would allow up to 20 there but I'm assuming it would create all sorts of legal issues). Considering that the basics of the app still aren't working too well I doubt this will ever happen, but I guess I can dream.

Suggest it to them Sol, who knows? After Brexit (if it ever happens?) We could repeal the legislation for a higher limit?